Chapter Five
That night, Xena lay beside Gabrielle and slept peacefully. Gabrielle was fully awake and a little bit worried. She had no idea what she was going to do. Was she pregnant? She didn't know, but she was scared. She'd heard when she was younger, the screams coming from the village women. She'd heard the screams that sounded like cries for help. A cold feeling that sent chills up her spine suddenly overtook her. She covered up fully with a blanket and tried to fall asleep with the worries at the back of her mind, pulling on her thoughts. She slowly looked over at Xena who was sleeping with a peaceful, happy smile on her face.
*~*
During the night, Gabrielle tossed and turned with dreams of birth and pain. She figured she'd whimpered in her sleep because the next thing she knew, she felt Xena's warm hands on her back, slowly tapping her to wake up.
Gabrielle's eyes fluttered open and she turned to look at Xena. She had a look of question on her face and she moved closer to her lover.
"What's wrong, Gabrielle?" Xena asked with concern.
"What are you talking about?" Gabrielle asked in a hushed whisper.
"You were crying in your sleep. Did you have a bad dream?" Xena asked with a calming look on her face.
"I . . ." Gabrielle started. "I don't remember." With that she turned back over, embarrassed to tell Xena that she was afraid of giving birth. She closed her eyes, feeling Xena's boring into the back of her skull. She knew she needed sleep. Tomorrow was just going to be another day of wonder and worry.
Xena couldn't take her eyes off of the back of Gabrielle. She was worried about her love. Gabrielle was just so scared for no apparent reason. Had she scared her by saying she was sure that she was the one who was pregnant? Xena wondered if maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Gabrielle still might not be pregnant.
"I'm sorry, Gabrielle," Xena whispered as she drifted off to sleep.
*~*
In the morning, Xena woke before Gabrielle. The bard had a serene look on her face now and Xena smiled. She leaned down and kissed her love's lips and got out of bed. She put on her leathers and her armor and left the room, closing the door behind her. She tiptoed down the hall and to the stairs where she could hear a man arguing with Cyrene. Xena wanted to go downstairs and kick his ass, but by the way it sounded, Cyrene had it under control.
"I've told you, woman," the man sneered. "You give us what we want or we'll level this place."
"I've already told you," Cyrene spoke bitterly. "I'm not giving you one dinar for what happened here. It's not my fault your brother is dead. Someone poisoned him."
"Yes," the man bellowed. "You!" With that, he stomped out of the tavern and left huffily. Xena descended the stars and peered at her mother who seemed to be content.
"Oh, good morning dear," Cyrene greeted her beautiful daughter.
"Mother, what was that all about?" Xena asked. Cyrene, not being the least surprised that Xena had heard that conversation just shrugged.
"He's been coming in here every day for a season. He thinks I killed his brother and now he wants me to pay for it," the woman declared.
"Mother, is he out to kill you?" Xena asked with wide eyes.
"No," Cyrene chuckled. "He really wants me to pay for it. He wants a thousand dinars for his brother's death."
"Well, I see he's really intent on it," observed the warrior.
"Well, yes, but he wouldn't hurt a fly," Cyrene declared. "He's the good guy, sent by the bad brothers to ask for the money."
"How do you know all of this?"
"Xena, where do you think you inherited some of your many skills?" her mother asked sternly. "I know this group of brothers and the one who died was poisoned at my tavern. Someone obviously poisoned his food."
"Mother, you aren't telling me everything," Xena replied.
"Okay," Cyrene said with a heavily sigh. "I didn't poison him, but I saw who did. This group of brothers, albeit the nice one, was about to level Amphipoils. But they couldn't do it until the meanest brother gave them the orders. One of the village women knew where she could find some spices that made a deadly poison when mixed together. She put them in his food and he died. End of story."
"Well, at least you didn't do it," Xena said with a roll of her eyes.
"Don't worry about it," Cyrene warned. "If worse comes to worse, I'll just finish all of them off."
"Mother!" Xena exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Just kidding," Cyrene said with a giggle. Xena rolled her eyes again and finally realized where she got her sense of humor.
"I'm going to go take care of these guys. Gabrielle's still asleep. When she wakes up, make sure that she's got something good to eat, okay?" Xena asked. Cyrene nodded. "Breakfast is cooking as we speak. Xena nodded and left the tavern quickly.
Chapter Six
After a few minutes, Xena returned without a scratch on her. There was a small bruise on her left arm, but it would go away within a day or so.
"All in a day's work," she casually declared. She looked around and saw that Gabrielle was still not awake. She smiled.
"Gabrielle must be very tired," Cyrene said as she gave Xena a plate of food. Xena nodded as she took a small bite of bread.
"Yes," replied the warrior princess. "She's just having a hard time." Cyrene nodded. Xena continued to eat silently.
Upstairs, the bard woke from her slumber. She brushed her fingers through her long hair and sat up in bed. She felt like a ton of bricks hit her in the head. Her temples throbbed slowly and painfully. She realized it was one of those headaches where she wished she were dead.
Gabrielle slowly sat up and squinted agonizingly into the bright sunlight that was seeping through the window shutters. She turned her head away and stood up. She dressed as slow as a sloth and walked to the door. She left the bedroom and headed down the stairs. She immediately saw Cyrene and Xena. Xena was smiling at something Cyrene was saying. Gabrielle thought of the misery she was in and glared at Xena. She finally reached the bottom of the stairs and sat down at the counter.
"Morning sunshine," Xena said as she looked at her partner. Gabrielle just nodded and laid her head down.
"I feel like Tartarus," she declared. Xena and Cyrene shared a knowing glance between them and focused their attention back on Gabrielle.
"I'll go brew some herbs for you," Cyrene offered. Without an answer from Gabrielle, Cyrene disappeared into the kitchen.
"What's wrong, my love?" Xena asked.
"I'm pregnant, aren't I?" Gabrielle asked in surrender.
"I believe so," Xena said with a smile. She was relieved that she wouldn't have to bear the pain, but she was also nervous for Gabrielle, who had never given birth before.
"I don't think I'll be able to do this," Gabrielle said.
"You will," Xena assured. "You'll be great. Plus, you've got quite awhile to get prepared. Don't worry."
"Yeah, well you're not the one who has to worry about giving birth to a gigantic baby," Gabrielle replied jokingly.
"Gabrielle, I don't think this baby will be giant just because Aphro . . ." Xena began.
"Xena!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "I was joking!"
"Oh," Xena remarked. She shrugged at took a sip of mead. "Are you feeling well enough to take a walk?"
"A walk? Out there? There is sun out there," Gabrielle whined.
"Gabrielle, after you have some herbs, you'll be fine," Xena promised. Gabrielle shrugged and laid her head back down on the counter. Xena chuckled and finished off her breakfast.
Cyrene carried in a cup of brewed herbs. She sat it down in front of Gabrielle. The bard lifted her head long enough to take the cup in her hands and take a sip of the hot liquid as it cascaded down her throat. She smiled in satisfaction and took another drink.
"Good?" Xena asked. Gabrielle nodded.
"Very," Gabrielle replied. "I feel better already."
"Well, finish that off, and we'll go take a walk," Xena declared. Gabrielle nodded and drank more of the wonderful liquid.
Chapter Seven
The warrior and the bard walked along the Amphipolis Forest trail hand in hand. They didn't speak much, but the quiet seemed a calming effect on the both of them. Gabrielle was beginning to look more healthy and happy. Xena was just happy that Gabrielle was better.
The breeze softly and the couple walked closer.
"Today is such a beautiful day," Gabrielle said as the sun shone on her face. "Everything is so beautiful and warm."
"Yes," Xena replied. "Everything is so perfect." Gabrielle looked up at Xena. The smile on the warrior's face was the most happy, beautiful expression the bard had ever seen.
"Thank you," Gabrielle whispered.
"For what?" Xena asked as she pulled her bard close.
"For being the one person I can count on, the one person I can love and trust more than anyone else," Gabrielle expressed. "You're the one that I will love for eternity. I know we are destined to be together." Xena stopped in her tracks.
"I will always be here. I promise you that. I will never leave you," the warrior princess declared. "I will be here for you and for our child."
"And so will I," Gabrielle said. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed her warrior's cheek. The two then continued to walk. They talked about what clothes Gabrielle would have to wear once she started showing, if Gabrielle was indeed the one who was pregnant. They talked about what sex the child would be, what it would look like, and what they would name it. They didn't agree on a name for a boy or a girl, but both were just happy that they had that to talk about.
"I wonder when the baby will be born?" Xena asked. Gabrielle shrugged.
"We could ask Aphrodite," Gabrielle offered. "She'd know."
"How about this. We could be surprised," Xena suggested. Gabrielle smiled.
"I like that," she replied. Xena kissed her softly as they walked and they walked the rest of the way back to the tavern in utter silence.
*~*
It was that evening when the goddess of love paid the bard and the warrior a visit. The two were just getting ready to go to bed when she popped in for a chat. She smiled when she saw Gabrielle crawling under the covers and pulling the sheets up to her chin.
"Sorry to bother you," she said as she sat down in a big comfy chair that she popped in herself. "Needed decoration."
"Okay," Xena said as she wondered why the goddess was there so late at night.
"Oh, well, I guess I could explain myself," Aphrodite finally started. Gabrielle nodded.
"Please," she begged.
"Okay," Aphrodite replied. "Well, you see, this child isn't going to be exactly normal like the other children."
"What?" Xena asked angrily. "What did you do, Aphrodite?"
"Hey, have a little faith in the goddess okay?" Aphrodite queried. "As I was saying, the only difference is, the child will be born a lot more quickly that any other child. Usually the baby will be born after three seasons, this little one will be born after just one full moon."
"One month!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "That's not enough time!"
"Why, Aphrodite?" Xena asked.
"Well, it'll be a human child. It's made of you and Gabrielle, but since I put the kid in there for you, it'll just be born quicker. It'll be healthy, I promise," Aphrodite assured. "Everything will be fine."
"But, I have to give birth in a month?" Gabrielle asked.
"Well, a little less," Aphrodite said. "I mean, the baby has been in there a couple days. In the next few days . . ."
"So, Gabrielle is the one who is pregnant?" Xena asked. Aphrodite nodded.
"Of course," she said sweetly. She flashed a smile. "Anyway, in the next few days, Gabrielle, you'll begin morning nausea and you'll gain weight. Within a week, you'll look like you're nearly a season along."
"Wonderful," Gabrielle said slowly. She sighed and leaned back in bed. "Thanks Aphrodite."
"Hey, I gave you two what you wanted," Aphrodite griped. "I hope you two appreciate all the hard work I put into it. Believe me, this child will be totally worth the short pregnancy and the long labor."
"Long labor?" Gabrielle asked as she sat back up.
"I have to go. Toodles!" the goddess called. She popped out of sight before Xena or Gabrielle could get another word in.
"We've got to get to the amazons," Gabrielle proclaimed. "Soon." Xena nodded. She laid back and she and the bard fell asleep.
Chapter Eight
The next morning was a surprise to Gabrielle. When she woke, she had to jump out of bed and she was sick a few moments later. Xena watched with a grimace on her face. The bard looked green and miserable. She was beginning to get a bit swollen around the mid-section and she was not happy.
"I don't like this," Gabrielle grumbled. "I don't like this at all." Xena smiled crookedly and walked over to the bard who was now cleaning up the mess she had made. Xena pulled her close. The bard's breath was horrid, but she didn't dare make a comment.
"Don't worry. It'll get better," Xena comforted. "I know it. I've been through this before, you know."
"I know," Gabrielle said with a groan. "I just didn't ever think it'd happen to me. At least not for another ten years or so."
"Well, you are a woman, after all. You're in your childbearing years," Xena reminded the bard. She hugged her again. "Let's go down for breakfast, shall we? We head out today."
*~*
That afternoon, Xena and Gabrielle said goodbye to Cyrene and headed out on Argo. Gabrielle didn't feel like walking, so she rode up behind Xena. The warrior princess didn't mind that at all. She smiled the whole time.
"So," Gabrielle began. "When you give birth, it hurts a lot? Judging by the sounds those village women made, I'm sure it does."
"Oh, Gabrielle, it varies for all women. It usually does hurt quite a bit, but I've known women who've had hardly any pain at all and they got up and went about their everyday business right after having the child."
"Are you serious?" Gabrielle asked with wide eyes to the back of Xena's head.
"I'm serious," Xena said with a chuckle. "I've seen so many things Gabrielle that you wouldn't believe. There have been so many births that I've witnessed and that I've even taken part in. I've delivered many babies in my days, Gabrielle, and I'll get to deliver at least one more."
"Xena, when I first met you, I wanted to be just like you. I still do, in many ways, but I've realized that my life is going to be interesting as well, just having you by my side," the bard spoke. "I want us to be together for the rest of our lives. We'll live with each other, die with each other, and go through our afterlives together."
"I like the way you think, Gabrielle, albeit, the whole death thing is a bit morbid," Xena replied.
"Well, you know what I mean," the bard spouted. Xena nodded.
"I know," the beautiful warrior convinced. "I know." The two continued to walk ride on. Gabrielle held her arms around her warrior's waist and leaned her head on Xena's back. She listened to the birds singing and the deer running through the forest. The sounds soothed her into a light slumber.
Xena knew the bard was sleeping by the soft snore escaping from her throat. She smiled softly and decided not to disturb her. She rode along and hummed a soft lullaby to Argo. The horse walked happily and slowly along the path.
The raven-haired warrior princess' life was about to change. She was going to be a mother; Gabrielle was going to be a mother. The child would have to mothers and no father. Xena wondered how she and Gabrielle would explain that to the child when it grew old enough to ask those questions. Maybe the child wouldn't need to ask; maybe it'd just know how much love each woman had for it and know that it was enough.
Whatever the outcome, Xena was going to do her job as a mother to the child and she'd never let anything happen to it or to Gabrielle. That was a promise to herself, to the gods, and to the entire world.
That night, Xena lay beside Gabrielle and slept peacefully. Gabrielle was fully awake and a little bit worried. She had no idea what she was going to do. Was she pregnant? She didn't know, but she was scared. She'd heard when she was younger, the screams coming from the village women. She'd heard the screams that sounded like cries for help. A cold feeling that sent chills up her spine suddenly overtook her. She covered up fully with a blanket and tried to fall asleep with the worries at the back of her mind, pulling on her thoughts. She slowly looked over at Xena who was sleeping with a peaceful, happy smile on her face.
*~*
During the night, Gabrielle tossed and turned with dreams of birth and pain. She figured she'd whimpered in her sleep because the next thing she knew, she felt Xena's warm hands on her back, slowly tapping her to wake up.
Gabrielle's eyes fluttered open and she turned to look at Xena. She had a look of question on her face and she moved closer to her lover.
"What's wrong, Gabrielle?" Xena asked with concern.
"What are you talking about?" Gabrielle asked in a hushed whisper.
"You were crying in your sleep. Did you have a bad dream?" Xena asked with a calming look on her face.
"I . . ." Gabrielle started. "I don't remember." With that she turned back over, embarrassed to tell Xena that she was afraid of giving birth. She closed her eyes, feeling Xena's boring into the back of her skull. She knew she needed sleep. Tomorrow was just going to be another day of wonder and worry.
Xena couldn't take her eyes off of the back of Gabrielle. She was worried about her love. Gabrielle was just so scared for no apparent reason. Had she scared her by saying she was sure that she was the one who was pregnant? Xena wondered if maybe she shouldn't have said anything. Gabrielle still might not be pregnant.
"I'm sorry, Gabrielle," Xena whispered as she drifted off to sleep.
*~*
In the morning, Xena woke before Gabrielle. The bard had a serene look on her face now and Xena smiled. She leaned down and kissed her love's lips and got out of bed. She put on her leathers and her armor and left the room, closing the door behind her. She tiptoed down the hall and to the stairs where she could hear a man arguing with Cyrene. Xena wanted to go downstairs and kick his ass, but by the way it sounded, Cyrene had it under control.
"I've told you, woman," the man sneered. "You give us what we want or we'll level this place."
"I've already told you," Cyrene spoke bitterly. "I'm not giving you one dinar for what happened here. It's not my fault your brother is dead. Someone poisoned him."
"Yes," the man bellowed. "You!" With that, he stomped out of the tavern and left huffily. Xena descended the stars and peered at her mother who seemed to be content.
"Oh, good morning dear," Cyrene greeted her beautiful daughter.
"Mother, what was that all about?" Xena asked. Cyrene, not being the least surprised that Xena had heard that conversation just shrugged.
"He's been coming in here every day for a season. He thinks I killed his brother and now he wants me to pay for it," the woman declared.
"Mother, is he out to kill you?" Xena asked with wide eyes.
"No," Cyrene chuckled. "He really wants me to pay for it. He wants a thousand dinars for his brother's death."
"Well, I see he's really intent on it," observed the warrior.
"Well, yes, but he wouldn't hurt a fly," Cyrene declared. "He's the good guy, sent by the bad brothers to ask for the money."
"How do you know all of this?"
"Xena, where do you think you inherited some of your many skills?" her mother asked sternly. "I know this group of brothers and the one who died was poisoned at my tavern. Someone obviously poisoned his food."
"Mother, you aren't telling me everything," Xena replied.
"Okay," Cyrene said with a heavily sigh. "I didn't poison him, but I saw who did. This group of brothers, albeit the nice one, was about to level Amphipoils. But they couldn't do it until the meanest brother gave them the orders. One of the village women knew where she could find some spices that made a deadly poison when mixed together. She put them in his food and he died. End of story."
"Well, at least you didn't do it," Xena said with a roll of her eyes.
"Don't worry about it," Cyrene warned. "If worse comes to worse, I'll just finish all of them off."
"Mother!" Xena exclaimed with wide eyes.
"Just kidding," Cyrene said with a giggle. Xena rolled her eyes again and finally realized where she got her sense of humor.
"I'm going to go take care of these guys. Gabrielle's still asleep. When she wakes up, make sure that she's got something good to eat, okay?" Xena asked. Cyrene nodded. "Breakfast is cooking as we speak. Xena nodded and left the tavern quickly.
Chapter Six
After a few minutes, Xena returned without a scratch on her. There was a small bruise on her left arm, but it would go away within a day or so.
"All in a day's work," she casually declared. She looked around and saw that Gabrielle was still not awake. She smiled.
"Gabrielle must be very tired," Cyrene said as she gave Xena a plate of food. Xena nodded as she took a small bite of bread.
"Yes," replied the warrior princess. "She's just having a hard time." Cyrene nodded. Xena continued to eat silently.
Upstairs, the bard woke from her slumber. She brushed her fingers through her long hair and sat up in bed. She felt like a ton of bricks hit her in the head. Her temples throbbed slowly and painfully. She realized it was one of those headaches where she wished she were dead.
Gabrielle slowly sat up and squinted agonizingly into the bright sunlight that was seeping through the window shutters. She turned her head away and stood up. She dressed as slow as a sloth and walked to the door. She left the bedroom and headed down the stairs. She immediately saw Cyrene and Xena. Xena was smiling at something Cyrene was saying. Gabrielle thought of the misery she was in and glared at Xena. She finally reached the bottom of the stairs and sat down at the counter.
"Morning sunshine," Xena said as she looked at her partner. Gabrielle just nodded and laid her head down.
"I feel like Tartarus," she declared. Xena and Cyrene shared a knowing glance between them and focused their attention back on Gabrielle.
"I'll go brew some herbs for you," Cyrene offered. Without an answer from Gabrielle, Cyrene disappeared into the kitchen.
"What's wrong, my love?" Xena asked.
"I'm pregnant, aren't I?" Gabrielle asked in surrender.
"I believe so," Xena said with a smile. She was relieved that she wouldn't have to bear the pain, but she was also nervous for Gabrielle, who had never given birth before.
"I don't think I'll be able to do this," Gabrielle said.
"You will," Xena assured. "You'll be great. Plus, you've got quite awhile to get prepared. Don't worry."
"Yeah, well you're not the one who has to worry about giving birth to a gigantic baby," Gabrielle replied jokingly.
"Gabrielle, I don't think this baby will be giant just because Aphro . . ." Xena began.
"Xena!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "I was joking!"
"Oh," Xena remarked. She shrugged at took a sip of mead. "Are you feeling well enough to take a walk?"
"A walk? Out there? There is sun out there," Gabrielle whined.
"Gabrielle, after you have some herbs, you'll be fine," Xena promised. Gabrielle shrugged and laid her head back down on the counter. Xena chuckled and finished off her breakfast.
Cyrene carried in a cup of brewed herbs. She sat it down in front of Gabrielle. The bard lifted her head long enough to take the cup in her hands and take a sip of the hot liquid as it cascaded down her throat. She smiled in satisfaction and took another drink.
"Good?" Xena asked. Gabrielle nodded.
"Very," Gabrielle replied. "I feel better already."
"Well, finish that off, and we'll go take a walk," Xena declared. Gabrielle nodded and drank more of the wonderful liquid.
Chapter Seven
The warrior and the bard walked along the Amphipolis Forest trail hand in hand. They didn't speak much, but the quiet seemed a calming effect on the both of them. Gabrielle was beginning to look more healthy and happy. Xena was just happy that Gabrielle was better.
The breeze softly and the couple walked closer.
"Today is such a beautiful day," Gabrielle said as the sun shone on her face. "Everything is so beautiful and warm."
"Yes," Xena replied. "Everything is so perfect." Gabrielle looked up at Xena. The smile on the warrior's face was the most happy, beautiful expression the bard had ever seen.
"Thank you," Gabrielle whispered.
"For what?" Xena asked as she pulled her bard close.
"For being the one person I can count on, the one person I can love and trust more than anyone else," Gabrielle expressed. "You're the one that I will love for eternity. I know we are destined to be together." Xena stopped in her tracks.
"I will always be here. I promise you that. I will never leave you," the warrior princess declared. "I will be here for you and for our child."
"And so will I," Gabrielle said. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed her warrior's cheek. The two then continued to walk. They talked about what clothes Gabrielle would have to wear once she started showing, if Gabrielle was indeed the one who was pregnant. They talked about what sex the child would be, what it would look like, and what they would name it. They didn't agree on a name for a boy or a girl, but both were just happy that they had that to talk about.
"I wonder when the baby will be born?" Xena asked. Gabrielle shrugged.
"We could ask Aphrodite," Gabrielle offered. "She'd know."
"How about this. We could be surprised," Xena suggested. Gabrielle smiled.
"I like that," she replied. Xena kissed her softly as they walked and they walked the rest of the way back to the tavern in utter silence.
*~*
It was that evening when the goddess of love paid the bard and the warrior a visit. The two were just getting ready to go to bed when she popped in for a chat. She smiled when she saw Gabrielle crawling under the covers and pulling the sheets up to her chin.
"Sorry to bother you," she said as she sat down in a big comfy chair that she popped in herself. "Needed decoration."
"Okay," Xena said as she wondered why the goddess was there so late at night.
"Oh, well, I guess I could explain myself," Aphrodite finally started. Gabrielle nodded.
"Please," she begged.
"Okay," Aphrodite replied. "Well, you see, this child isn't going to be exactly normal like the other children."
"What?" Xena asked angrily. "What did you do, Aphrodite?"
"Hey, have a little faith in the goddess okay?" Aphrodite queried. "As I was saying, the only difference is, the child will be born a lot more quickly that any other child. Usually the baby will be born after three seasons, this little one will be born after just one full moon."
"One month!" Gabrielle exclaimed. "That's not enough time!"
"Why, Aphrodite?" Xena asked.
"Well, it'll be a human child. It's made of you and Gabrielle, but since I put the kid in there for you, it'll just be born quicker. It'll be healthy, I promise," Aphrodite assured. "Everything will be fine."
"But, I have to give birth in a month?" Gabrielle asked.
"Well, a little less," Aphrodite said. "I mean, the baby has been in there a couple days. In the next few days . . ."
"So, Gabrielle is the one who is pregnant?" Xena asked. Aphrodite nodded.
"Of course," she said sweetly. She flashed a smile. "Anyway, in the next few days, Gabrielle, you'll begin morning nausea and you'll gain weight. Within a week, you'll look like you're nearly a season along."
"Wonderful," Gabrielle said slowly. She sighed and leaned back in bed. "Thanks Aphrodite."
"Hey, I gave you two what you wanted," Aphrodite griped. "I hope you two appreciate all the hard work I put into it. Believe me, this child will be totally worth the short pregnancy and the long labor."
"Long labor?" Gabrielle asked as she sat back up.
"I have to go. Toodles!" the goddess called. She popped out of sight before Xena or Gabrielle could get another word in.
"We've got to get to the amazons," Gabrielle proclaimed. "Soon." Xena nodded. She laid back and she and the bard fell asleep.
Chapter Eight
The next morning was a surprise to Gabrielle. When she woke, she had to jump out of bed and she was sick a few moments later. Xena watched with a grimace on her face. The bard looked green and miserable. She was beginning to get a bit swollen around the mid-section and she was not happy.
"I don't like this," Gabrielle grumbled. "I don't like this at all." Xena smiled crookedly and walked over to the bard who was now cleaning up the mess she had made. Xena pulled her close. The bard's breath was horrid, but she didn't dare make a comment.
"Don't worry. It'll get better," Xena comforted. "I know it. I've been through this before, you know."
"I know," Gabrielle said with a groan. "I just didn't ever think it'd happen to me. At least not for another ten years or so."
"Well, you are a woman, after all. You're in your childbearing years," Xena reminded the bard. She hugged her again. "Let's go down for breakfast, shall we? We head out today."
*~*
That afternoon, Xena and Gabrielle said goodbye to Cyrene and headed out on Argo. Gabrielle didn't feel like walking, so she rode up behind Xena. The warrior princess didn't mind that at all. She smiled the whole time.
"So," Gabrielle began. "When you give birth, it hurts a lot? Judging by the sounds those village women made, I'm sure it does."
"Oh, Gabrielle, it varies for all women. It usually does hurt quite a bit, but I've known women who've had hardly any pain at all and they got up and went about their everyday business right after having the child."
"Are you serious?" Gabrielle asked with wide eyes to the back of Xena's head.
"I'm serious," Xena said with a chuckle. "I've seen so many things Gabrielle that you wouldn't believe. There have been so many births that I've witnessed and that I've even taken part in. I've delivered many babies in my days, Gabrielle, and I'll get to deliver at least one more."
"Xena, when I first met you, I wanted to be just like you. I still do, in many ways, but I've realized that my life is going to be interesting as well, just having you by my side," the bard spoke. "I want us to be together for the rest of our lives. We'll live with each other, die with each other, and go through our afterlives together."
"I like the way you think, Gabrielle, albeit, the whole death thing is a bit morbid," Xena replied.
"Well, you know what I mean," the bard spouted. Xena nodded.
"I know," the beautiful warrior convinced. "I know." The two continued to walk ride on. Gabrielle held her arms around her warrior's waist and leaned her head on Xena's back. She listened to the birds singing and the deer running through the forest. The sounds soothed her into a light slumber.
Xena knew the bard was sleeping by the soft snore escaping from her throat. She smiled softly and decided not to disturb her. She rode along and hummed a soft lullaby to Argo. The horse walked happily and slowly along the path.
The raven-haired warrior princess' life was about to change. She was going to be a mother; Gabrielle was going to be a mother. The child would have to mothers and no father. Xena wondered how she and Gabrielle would explain that to the child when it grew old enough to ask those questions. Maybe the child wouldn't need to ask; maybe it'd just know how much love each woman had for it and know that it was enough.
Whatever the outcome, Xena was going to do her job as a mother to the child and she'd never let anything happen to it or to Gabrielle. That was a promise to herself, to the gods, and to the entire world.